Single Idea 6628

[catalogued under 17. Mind and Body / C. Functionalism / 8. Functionalism critique]

Full Idea

Functionalism has nothing positive to say about the intrinsic properties of mental states, only something about their relational properties.

Gist of Idea

Functionalism only discusses relational properties of mental states, not intrinsic properties

Source

E.J. Lowe (Introduction to the Philosophy of Mind [2000], Ch. 3)

Book Reference

Lowe,E.J.: 'Introduction to the Philosophy of Mind' [CUP 2000], p.67


A Reaction

This seems to me highly significant. All references to function (e.g. in Aristotle) invite the question of what enables something to have that function. Maybe the core question of philosophy of mind is whether mental states are intrinsic or relational.